Character Of The Khalsa

[Mehtab Singh]

taken from gurmatbibek.com

Principal Satbir Singh has wrote the following which describes a Khalsa's character in ਸੌ ਸਵਾਲ pustak. I found the following in SikhDigest

In worldly speak. Sikhs have been down before. The ਛੋਟਾ ਘਲੂਘਾਰਾ of 1746 A.D. decimated the Khalsa army. Thousands obtained martyrdom. The ਵਡਾ ਘਲੂਘਾਰਾ of 1762 A.D. wiped out scores of families in just a couple of days; almost every Sikh was injured. However, within three 3 months the Khalsa Army uprooted Abdalis Army and sent them packing. Never in this period were the Sikhs spirits down. There were several reasons for their ever hopeful, ever forward looking and confident outlook.

1.Untainted Gurmat lifestyle of the leaders

2.Visionary strategic planning

3.Intelligent politics

4.Abounding Chardeekaala

5.Faith of general public in Sikhs Character

6.Significant role of Sikh women

Virtuous Character & Self-Denial

The primary teaching of self denial (renunciation of self interests in favour of the interests of others) is imbibed every day by the Sikh in doing their Nitnem:

ਜਉ ਤਉ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਖੇਲਣ ਕਾ ਚਾਉ, ਸਿਰੁ ਧਰਿ ਤਲੀ ਗਲੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਆਉ ॥

If you desire to play this game of love with Me, then step onto My Path with your head in hand.

(Siree Guroo Granth Sahib Jee Ang 1412)

The self denial and self sacrifice urge was profoundly entrenched in Sikhs

No Sikh will inform about his own twinge to another, but rather be ready to listen to others.

These were a few of the altruistic qualities of Puratan Gursikhs

*They can live without clothing and food, But can't see their beloved Singhs in discomfort

*They can dress themselves in rags, But will offer their best outfit to other Singhs

*Any kind of wealth earned from their hard labour, Will forever be prearranged to be delivered to Singhs in need.

*Dasvand money from their hard labor will always be sent to congregations of Singhs

*If some singhs depart for foreign countries, Singhs will make efforts to send Gursikhs to visit them (to have sangat)

From Old Panth Parakash Granth

In Bansavali-Nama it is written that

Due to rentless Simran by those Gursikhs. Mughals were uprooted from Punjab

Home without boundaries

Sikhs did not have attachment with their houses or property; for Sikhee, they would sacrifice all their worldly comforts. Hence they mostly made the saddle on backs of their horses their home, roaming about dispensing justice. The ultimate goals of the Sikhs, to fight for Truth and Sikh Dharam, were by no means sidetracked by any worldly effection. The following legendary poem of that era describes the Sikh way of life

Where are you heading with your horse Singh Jee?

Where is a need for you have arrived?

My horse is departing to an extremely premier place (location where justice is being sought)

The culprit has to suffer now.

This was the life-style of Gursikhs at that time

ਸੇਵਤ ਫਿਰਤੇ, ਤੁਰਤੇ ਖੈ ਹੈ

ਪੀਠ ਲਗਾਇ ਨ ਧਰ ਪਰ ਸੈ ਹੈ

Resting on horse back and eating while walking

Never used to nap on the floor(home)

Never did anybody notice a Singh laying about purposeless on ground or bed. Gursikhs only had one longing: Aspiration for Truth and to put into use their arms in upholding it. If they were ever to be wounded in battle, in a high spirit they would say that their body has now been purified by the touch of weapons.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕਾਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕੀਫ਼ਤਹਿ

[.- Prabhjot Singh -.]

Thanks very much Singh Sahib Ji

[GillAUS]

Thanks for sharing brother. We modern-day Sikhs should really look hard at our past and find inspiration from the high-standards set by our ancestors.

We should aspire to reach such heights again.